Forceps for performing endoscopic or arthroscopic surgery

ABSTRACT

Forceps for performing endoscopic or arthroscopic surgery include a body assembly, a tube assembly, and a pair of handles that pivot with respect to the body. The tube assembly is removably attached to the body assembly. The tube assembly includes a hollow tube and a tip assembly. The tip assembly includes an electrode or a blade for performing the surgery. The tip assembly and the blade are connected to the body and the handles by a cable. As the handles pivot, the cable slides within the tube to move the blade. When a different tube assembly (i.e., a bipolar or a monopolar electrode) or another style of tip assembly are desired, the installed one is removed and replaced by a new tube assembly or tip assembly as desired.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. Nos. 60/676,645 and 60/717,074, which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today's endoscopic and arthroscopic surgical instruments encompass amultitude of different designs. While all may be designed to serve thesame function, for example, each one may be shaped differently toprovide the surgeon better access to perform the procedure. For example,a pair of forceps may include a tube that extends from a pair ofhandles. A blade is disposed at an end to the tube for performing thesurgery. The tube, near the blade in one pair of forceps is bent upwardto provide the surgeon with the required access in the patient to make afirst cut. However, if the surgeon needs to perform a second cut, on thesame patient, but in a different position, the surgeon must get adifferent pair of forceps where the tube is bent to a differentorientation.

Based on the above, it is easy to relate to today's realities of theoperating room where a large inventory of specific instruments must bekept in an inventory at a high cost. Managing and maintaining thisinventory is costly and complex. Lack of flexibility among theinstruments are a direct added cost to each surgery, while maintainingthe different variety of instruments necessitates trained personnel andsterilization facilities and capabilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is cross-sectional side view of forceps;

FIG. 2 is cross-sectional side view of a tip assembly showing a cable inan aft position with a blade inside a tip of the tip assembly in aclosed position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the tip assembly showing thecable in a forward position with the blade in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a tube assembly with the bladein the open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the blade;

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional front view of the blade taken along sectionA-A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the blade;

FIG. 8 is cross-sectional side view of the tip;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the tip;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the cable;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the cable;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the cable showing a cable retainer assembledto a cable end of the cable;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the cable showing the cable retainerassembled to the cable end of the cable;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of a body assembly;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional front view of the body assembly showing alock engaging an adapter of the tube assembly;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional front view of the body assembly showing aplunger depressed and the lock disengaged from the adapter of the tubeassembly;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the plunger;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional front view of the plunger taken along lineA-A of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the lock;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the lock;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the lock;

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the lock;

FIG. 23 is a top view of the cable retainer;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional side view of cable retainer;

FIG. 25 is an end view of cable retainer;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional front view of an alternative body assemblyshowing a plunger in a relaxed position and the lock engaged with theadapter of the tube assembly;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional front view of the body assembly in FIG. 26showing the plunger depressed and the lock disengaged from the adapterof the tube assembly;

FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a grabbing mechanismassembly illustrating jaws of a collet in a closed position;

FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the grabbing mechanismassembly illustrating the jaws of the collet in the open position;

FIG. 30 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the grabbing mechanismassembly illustrating the jaws of the collet in the closed position;

FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the grabbing mechanismassembly illustrating the jaws of the collet in the open position;

FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the forceps withhandles closed and the blade of the tube assembly in the closedposition;

FIG. 33 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the forceps with thehandles open and the blade of the tube assembly in the open position;

FIG. 34 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the forceps with thehandles spread to the loading position for removing or inserting thetube assembly into the body assembly;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment ofthe forceps showing an aspirating monopolar electrode inserted into thebody assembly;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional side view of the alternative embodiment ofthe forceps from FIG. 35 showing an aspirating bipolar electrodeinserted into the body assembly;

FIG. 37 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the alternativeembodiment of the forceps showing fingers of the grabbing assembly and acolumn of the electrode inserted into the body assembly;

FIG. 38 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the alternativeembodiment of the forceps showing the fingers of the grabbing assemblygrasping the column of the electrode to retain the electrode in the bodyassembly; and

FIG. 39 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another alternativeembodiment of the forceps showing an aspirating electrode inserted intothe body assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like partsthroughout the several views, forceps are generally shown at 40. Forceps40 are used for performing various procedures during endoscopic orlaparoscopic types of surgery. A common type of procedure is cutting.However, they can be used to perform other types of procedures such asgrasping, manipulating, or ablating, for example.

The forceps 40 include a body assembly 42, a tube assembly 46, and apair of opposing handles 48, 50. The handles 48, 50 include an upperhandle 48 and a lower handle 50. The handles 48, 50 are pivotallyconnected to the body assembly 42. A handle screw 52 attaches eachhandle to the body assembly 42 but allows the handles 48, 50 to pivot.Teflon washers 54 may be interposed between each of the handles 48, 50and the body assembly 42 for reducing friction when pivoting each handle48, 50 with respect to the body assembly 42.

The tube assembly 46, shown in FIG. 4, includes a hollow tube 56extending between an adapter 58 and a tip assembly 60 along a tube axisDD. The adapter 58 encircles the tube 56 and defines a plurality oflocking holes or indentations 62 in grooves 63 encircling the adapter58. The tube 56 and the adapter 58 each define a hollow interior 59. Aflushing port 66 is formed in and extends from the adapter 58. Theflushing port 66 defines a duct 68 into the hollow interior 59 of theadapter 58 for flushing the tube assembly 46. A cable 70 is connected tothe blade 90 via pin 83 and extends through the tube assembly 46 and outbeyond the adapter 58.

The tip assembly 60, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, extends from a distal end71 of the tube 56 for performing the cutting procedures. The cable 70,shown in FIGS. 10-13, extends through the tube 56 and interconnects thetip assembly 60 to the handles 48, 50. The cable 70 is flat or having atleast flat end portions, having a thickness T, and extending between ablade end 74 and a cable end 76. The blade end 74 is disposed in thebody 134 proximate the tip assembly 60, as shown in FIG. 14. The cableend 76 is disposed in the body assembly 42, proximate the handles 48,50. The cable 70 tapers to a reduced width W before each of the bladeend 74 and the cable end 76. The blade end 74 extends from the reducedwidth W and has a generally trapezoidal shape with a front sloping edge78 and a top edge 79. The blade end 74 defines a shoulder 80, oppositethe front sloping edge 78 and adjacent the reduced width W. The bladeend 74 defines a tip pinhole 83. The cable end 76 has a generallyrectangular shape that extends from the reduced width W. The cable end76 defines a shear pinhole 84. A cable retainer 86, for mounting to thecable end 76, is generally bullet shaped with a round cross-section, asshown in FIGS. 23-25. The cable retainer 86 defines a shear pin hole 84.A slot 85 is defined in the cable retainer 86 that is at least equal insize to the thickness T of the cable 70. The cable retainer 86 alsodefines a shear pinhole 84 that extends through the slot 85. Thethickness T of the cable end 76 is inserted into the slot 85 and theshear pin holes 84 are aligned along the same axis. A shear pin 88 isinserted through the shear pin holes 84 to retain the cable retainer 86onto the cable end 76.

The tip assembly 60 includes a blade 90 and a tip 92. The blade 90,shown in FIGS. 5-7, is a single-acting blade 90 that pivots relative tothe tip 92 to perform the cutting procedure. However, the presentinvention is not limited to a single-acting blade 90, but may also bedouble-acting blades 90, or even jaws, where the elements pivot relativeto one another. The blade 90 is flat and is generally rectangular inshape. The blade 90 is bounded by a bottom surface 94, an upper surface96, a front 98, and a rear 100. The bottom surface 94 of the blade 90defines a concave cutting region 102. The upper surface 96 of the blade90, opposite the bottom surface 94 and the cutting region 102, isrounded toward a front 98 of the blade 90. The rounded upper surface 96and the concave cutting region 102 give the blade 90 the appearance of a“claw”. The rear 100 of the blade 90 defines a blade cavity 106 thatextends into the blade 90. The blade 90 also defines a tip pin hole 82and a cable pin hole 83 extending through the blade 90 and the bladecavity 106. Finally, the blade 90 includes a first blade stop 107 and asecond blade stop 109 extending between the bottom surface 94 and theupper surface 96.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a tip 92 includes a shaft 108 that extendsbetween a cylindrical neck 110 and a cutting portion 112. The shaft 108has a diameter H. The neck 110 has an external diameter D which is lessthan the diameter H of the shaft 108. The neck 110 defines at least oneexternal circumferential grooves 114 that encircle the neck 110. Theneck 110 is engaged when inserted into the distal end 71 of the tube 56for retaining the tip assembly 60 to the tube 56. The neck 110 can beattached to the shaft 108 by brazing, laser welding, adhesives orsoldering, for example. When the shaft 108 is soldered to the tube 56, asoldering compound is applied to the grooves 114 and surface 110.Additionally, an adhesive can be applied in the grooves 114 and surface110 prior to inserting the neck 111 into the distal end 71 of the tube56. As yet another alternative, the neck 111 can be press-fit into thedistal end 71 of the tube 56. The cutting portion 112 extends from theshaft 108, opposite the neck 110. The tip 92 is formed from a circularrod and includes a top surface 116 that slopes forward to the cuttingportion 112 to provide the cutting portion 112 with a height less thanthe diameter H of the shaft 108. The width of the cutting portion 112 issmaller or equal to the diameter H of the shaft 108. The cutting portion112 and a portion of the shaft 108 define a cutting opening 118 that isgenerally rectangular in shape. The neck 110 and shaft 108 define acable opening 120 that extends into the cutting opening 118 to form asingle continuous tip chamber 122. The cutting opening 118, proximate afront 124 of the tip 92, defines a front curved surface 126. The cuttingopening 118, proximate the neck 110 and the cable opening 120, defines arear curved surface 128. A hip 130 is formed on the rear curved surface128, along the bottom of the tip 92 for providing a stop for theshoulder 80 of the cable 70.

The shaft 108, proximate the cutting portion 112, also defines a tip pinhole 82 that extends though the shaft 108 and the hollow interior 59.The blade end 74 of the cable 70 is inserted into the hollow interior 59and the cable pin holes 83 of the cable 70 and the blade 90 are aligned.Additionally, the tip pin holes 82 of the blade 90 and the tip 92 arealigned. The blade 90 is assembled to the blade end 74 and a cable pin132 is inserted through the aligned cable pin hole 83 to pivotallyconnect the blade 90 to the cable 70. Likewise, the blade 90 isassembled to the tip 92 by inserting the blade 90 within the hollowinterior 59 between the tip pin holes 82 of the tip 92 and a tip pin 133is inserted through the aligned tip pin holes 82 to pivotally connectthe blade 90 to the tip 92. Because the tip 92 is connected directly tothe tube 56, the tip 92 remains stationary. When the handles 48, 50 aremoved relative to one another, the blade end 74 is moved fore/aft insidethe hollow interior 59, by virtue of sliding the cable 70 inside thetube 56, the cable pin hole 83 slides fore/aft relative to the tip pinhole 82, which remains stationary. Therefore, the movement of the cablepin hole 83, relative to the fixed tip pin hole 82, causes the blade 90to pivot about the tip pin 133 while moving the cutting member into andout of the hollow interior 59 of the tip 92. Movement of the cuttingmember relative to the cutting surface enables the cutting procedure tooccur.

The body assembly 42, shown in FIG. 14, includes a body 134 and an arm136 extending from the body 134. The body assembly 42 defines a passage138 extending through the body 134 and the arm 136 along a common axis.The body 134 defines a chamber 140, which is circular, along the passage138. The arm 136 defines a collet chamber 142, which is also circular,along the passage 138. The diameter of the collet chamber 142 is asmaller diameter than the diameter of the chamber 140 and extends to athreaded portion 143 and a locking nut 197. Rests 144 are formed on theoutside of the arm 136 for providing a stop for each of the handles 48,50. The body assembly 42 includes an upper surface 96 that defines athreaded hole 146 extending to an opening 148. The opening 148 extendsbetween the threaded hole 146 and the chamber 140 on a locking axis BB.

A lock 150 is disposed in the opening 148. The lock 150 includes a base152 that is sized to fit within the opening 148. A locking pin 154depends from the base 152 for engaging a corresponding locking groove 62on the tube assembly 46. A locking ramp 156 that slopes from near a top158 of the base 152 toward the locking pin 154 is formed on oppositesides of the base 152. The body 134 also defines a locking hole 160 thatintersects the opening 148. A spring cap 162 is threadedly engaged withthe threaded hole 146. The spring cap 162 compresses and retains aspring 164 between the spring cap 162 and the lock 150 to bias the lock150 toward the chamber 140. The spring cap 162 may define an orifice 199for receiving a portion of the spring 164. Additionally, the lock 150may define a spring pocket 159 for receiving a portion of the spring164. The spring pocket 159 and the orifice 199 help to maintain thespring 164 in the position as it is compressed and released.

A release plunger 166, shown in FIGS. 15-18, includes a plunger shaft168 disposed between a head 170 and an end 172. The plunger shaft 168 isdisposed in the locking hole 160 along a plunger axis BB. The plungershaft 168 is generally rod shaped and defines a slot 177 extendingthrough the plunger shaft 168 and a plunger ramp 174, formed in theplunger shaft 168, adjacent and sloping toward the end 172. When theplunger 166 is disposed in the locking hole 160, the plunger ramp 174opposes the locking ramp 156 and the locking ramp 156 imparts a force onthe plunger ramp 174 along the locking axis AA. The locking ramp 156 andthe plunger ramp 174 slope relative to the plunger axis (lateral axis)BB, in opposite directions such that the plunger ramp 174 is opposed andslidable engages a surface of the locking ramp 156.

When the release plunger 166 is pushed along the plunger axis AA, towardthe body 134, the plunger ramp 174 moves along the locking ramp 156 andpushes the lock 150 upward and away from the plunger 166, along thelocking axis BB. When this happens, the locking pin 154 disengages thelocking groove 62 of the tube assembly 46. When the locking pin 154 isdisengaged from the locking groove 62, the tube assembly 46 is free tobe rotated within the chamber 140 of the body 134 and align a differentlocking groove 62 with the locking pin 154. The tip assembly 60 rotateswith the entire tube assembly 46 by virtue of the fixed connectionbetween the tip assembly 60 and the tube 56 of the tube assembly 46.Therefore, if a different radial orientation of the tip assembly 60 isdesired, relative to the body assembly 42 and handles 48, 50, the tubeassembly 46 is rotated and locked into the preferred orientation via thelocking pin 154. When the plunger 166 is released, the force imparted tothe lock 150 from the locking spring 164 causes the locking pin 154 toautomatically engage the locking groove 62.

To improve the ability of the surgeon to grip the body 134 to use therelease plunger 166 to perform a one handed release of the tube assembly46, a cap 173 is formed on the body 134, on the locking axis AA oppositethe head 170 of the release plunger 166, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.The cap 173 covers the end 172 of the release plunger 166 such that whensurgeon grasps the body 134, a finger can rest on the cap 173 andanother finger can rest on the head 170. This allows the surgeon tosqueeze the head 170 along the locking axis AA toward the cap 173 torelease the locking pin 154 with a single hand.

An grabbing assembly 175 includes a collet 176 and a stem 178. Thecollet 176 includes a collet housing 180 and jaws 181 extending from thecollet housing 180. The collet housing 180 is generally circular anddefines a stem opening 182 for receiving a portion of the stem 178. Thestem opening 182 extends through the collet housing 180 and into thejaws. The jaws 181 include two or more fingers 184 that extend from thecollet housing 180 to be able to grab the cable end retainer 86. In a“relaxed” position, the fingers 184 diverge from the collet housing 180,as shown in FIGS. 29 and 31. When the fingers 184 are disposed inside ofthe collet chamber 142, the fingers 184 are “restricted” by the colletchamber 142 such that they extend from the collet housing 180 in agenerally parallel relationship 130, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 30, andthey grab and retain the cable end retainer 86 that is attached to thecable 70. When a tube assembly 46 is inserted into the body 134 and thefingers 184 are inside of the collet chamber 142, the cable end retainer86 engages and retains the cable end 76 and is retained within thecollet 176. The stem 178 includes a stem shaft 190 and a pair of stemarms 192, extending from the stem 178 in a spaced and parallelrelationship. The stem arms 192 each define a stem hole 194, alignedalong the same axis.

When the grabbing assembly 175 is disposed in the collet chamber 142, aresistance spring 195 surrounds the stem shaft 190, inside of the colletchamber 142. The resistance spring 195 is positioned between the collecthousing 180 and the threaded nut 197. Accordingly, as the grabbingassembly 175 is pulled rearward in the collet chamber 142, theresistance spring 195 is compressed between the collect housing 180 andthe threaded nut 197. When the grabbing assembly 175 is released, theresistance spring 195 forces the grabbing assembly 175 to slide forwardin the collet chamber 142 and open handles 48, 50.

A top link 196 and a bottom link 198 are used to interconnect the stem178 and the upper and the lower handles 48, 50. Each link defines a linkhole 204 and a stem hole 194 at opposite ends thereof. Each handle 48,50 defines a link hole 204. The top and the bottom links 198 areinserted between the arms of the stem 178 and the stem holes 194 of thetop and the bottom links 198 are aligned with the stem holes 194 of thestem arms 192. A stem screw 208 is inserted through all of the stemholes 194 to retain the links 196, 198 to the stem arms 192, whileallowing the links 196, 198 to pivot with respect to the handles 48, 50.The link hole 204 of the top link 196 is aligned with the link hole 204of the upper handle 48. A link screw 200 is inserted through the linkholes 204, while allowing the top link 196 to pivot with respect to theupper handle 48. The link hole 204 of the bottom link 198 is alignedwith the link hole 204 of the lower handle 50. A link screw 200 isinserted through the link holes 204 while allowing the bottom link 198to pivot with respect to the lower handle 50.

Referring to FIG. 34, loading and unloading a tube assembly 46 into thebody assembly 42 is facilitated by spreading the upper and lower handles48, 50 far apart, i.e., pulled apart from one another, such that thelinks 196, 198 cause the stem 178 to push the fingers 184 and cable endretainer 186 all the way into the body chamber 140, as shown in FIG. 34.When the fingers 184 and the cable end retainer 186 of the collet 176enter the body chamber 140, the fingers 184 and cable end retainer 186are no longer restricted by the collet chamber 142 and no longer engagethe cable end 76, if a tube assembly 46 is already loaded into the bodyassembly 42. If the plunger 166 is also depressed and the locking pin154 is no longer engaging the locking groove 62, the tube assembly 46may be removed from the body assembly 42.

Referring to FIG. 33, as the upper and the lower handles 48, 50 areclosed, i.e., pulled toward one another, the links 196, 198 cause thestem 178 to pull the fingers 184 and the cable end retainer 86 into thecollet chamber 142. The slope 188 on each of the fingers 184 rides alonga step 206 located between the chamber 140 of the body and the colletchamber 142. Because the diameter of the collet chamber 142 is smallerthan the diameter of the chamber 140 of the body 134, the slope 188 andthe step 206 cooperate to close the fingers 184 onto the cable endretainer 86. As the cable end retainer 186 is grabbed, it pulls thecable end 76 if a tube assembly 46 is inserted into the body assembly42.

Similarly, movement of the handles 48, 50 relative to one another movesthe blade 90 relative to the tip 92 in the tip assembly 60. However, thehandles 48, 50 are not spread as far apart as when loading and unloadinga tube assembly 46 from the body assembly 42. Therefore, when thehandles 48, 50 are moved apart, as shown in FIG. 33, the links 196, 198cause the stem 178 to push the fingers 184 forward in the collet chamber142 which, in turn, pushes the cable 70 forward through the tube 56. Asthe cable 70 moves forward in the tube 56, the cable end 76 and theblade 90, at the cable pin holes 83, slide forward in the tip assembly60. However, because the blade 90 remains only pivotally connected tothe tip 92 via the tip pinhole 82, the blade 90 rotates out of thehollow interior 59 of the tip 92. Likewise, as the handles 48, 50 aremoved together, as shown in FIG. 32, the links 196, 198 cause the stem178 to pull the fingers 184 rearward in the tube 56. As the cable 70moves rearward in the tube 56, the cable end 76 and the blade 90, at thecable pinhole 83, slide rearward in the tip assembly 60. Accordingly,the blade 90 rotates into the hollow interior 59 of the tip 92 bypivoting about the tip pin 133.

There are four stops within the forceps 40 which operate to limit therotation of the blade 90 with respect to the tip 92. First, as thehandles 48, 50 are closed, stops 144 on the body assembly 42 limit thetravel of the handles 48, 50 which limits the amount the blade 90 canenter the tip 92 of the tip assembly 60. Second, the hip 130 on the rearcurved surface 128 of the tip 92 provides a stop for the shoulder 80 ofthe cable 70 to limit the travel of the blade 90 and prevent the cuttingregion 102 of the blade 90 from extending through the tip 92. Third, thefront sloping edge 78 of the cable 70 cooperates with the first bladestop 107 to limit the travel of the blade 90 and limit the closing ofthe blade 90 with respect to the tip 92. The fourth included mechanicalstop is when blade stop 109 on the blade 90 contacts the top edge 79 onthe cable 70, as shown in FIG. 3, to limit the opening of the blade 90with respect to the tip 92 to and angle CC usually no greater than 50 to60 degrees, as shown in FIG. 3.

The shear pin 88 that retains the cable end 76 to the cable retainer 86has a lower shear force than the tip pin 133 and the cable pin 132. Thismeans that if too great of force is exerted on the entire tube assembly46 by virtue of moving the handles 48, 50, the shear pin 88 will breakand the tip pin 133 and the cable pin 132 will not. This is importantbecause the shear pin 88 is inside of the chamber 140 of the body andwill not result in any loose parts accidentally entering the patientduring the surgical procedure should the shear pin 88 break.

Referring to FIGS. 35 and 36, an alternative embodiment of the forceps240 is shown. The forceps 240 are adapted to include an electrodeassembly 241, such as an aspirating ablating electrode assembly 241,instead of the tube assembly 46. The electrode assembly 241 includes ahollow tube 256 extending between an adapter 258 and an ablating end243. The adapter 258 encircles the tube 256 and defines a plurality oflocking holes 262 and a groove 263 encircling the adapter 258. A knob259 extends from the adapter 258 for being gripped to rotate theelectrode assembly 241. The tube 256 and the adapter 258 each define ahollow interior 270. A flushing port 266 is formed in and extends fromthe adapter 258. The flushing port 266 defines a duct 268 into thehollow interior 270 of the adapter 258 for flushing the tube assembly246, via pumping or sucking fluids from the area of the body theoperation is occurring. At least one tube 256 extends between theablating end 243 and the locking holes 262 and groove 263 of the adapter258. When there is only one electrode 245, the electrode assembly 241 isa monopolar electrode assembly 241, as shown in FIG. 35. With themonopolar electrode assembly 241, a positive source of electricity ispassed through the electrode 245 and a negative source of energy, orground, is attached to a ground pad such that the energy passes throughthe patient and into the ground pad. This electricity can be used forcutting, sealing, ablation and coagulation.

However, when there are two sources of electricity energizing to tip243, the electrode assembly 241 is a bipolar electrode assembly 241, asshown in FIG. 36. In the bipolar electrode assembly 241, power plug 248takes the place of the spring cap 162 where the power plug 248 definesan internal shaft which provides a passage for the leads 249 to passthrough the power plug 248 and into the body 134 to contact the adaptor58 in two well separated spots. The leads 249 then extend to theelectrode tip 243 where each lead charges individually insulatedportions of the tip 243. Arcing between the insulated zones is used forbipolar cutting, sealing, ablation and coagulation. Additionally, tocool the electrodes 245, saline is passed through the flushing port 266,through the hollow tube 256, and out through or into the ablating end243. The saline is required to provide efficient ablation of the tissueand to prevent the electrodes 245 from melting. Although saline isdisclosed as a coolant, the invention is not limited to the use ofsaline as any other type of coolant may also be used so long as itprovides sufficient cooling of the electrodes 245 and ablation of thetissue.

As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, when the electrode assembly 241 is used,articulation of handles 48, 50 is not required. Therefore, the electrodeassembly 241 also includes an extension 251 which extends from theadapter 258 and simulates the cable end 86. To assemble the electrodeassembly 241 to the body assembly 42, the handles 48, 50 are spreadapart and in the open position. When the handles 48, 50 are in the openposition, the links 196, 198 cause the stem 178 to push the fingers 184forward in the collet chamber 142, as shown in FIG. 37. Then, the column251 is inserted between the fingers 184 and the handles 48, 50 areclosed. Closing the handles 48, 50 causes the stem 178 to pull thefingers 184 rearward in the collet chamber 142 and around the extension251, as shown in FIG. 38. This, in effect, locks the electrode assembly241 to the body assembly 42 and also keeps the handles 48, 50 immobileand enclosed so that the surgeon can grasp the handles 48, 50 tomaneuver the electrode assembly 241 during surgery. To further insulatethe surgeon from the energy going through the electrode assembly 241,the stem 178 and body 134 are formed from plastic or some otherinsulating type of material. However, the handles 48, 50 may be madefrom any type of metal or other type of non-insulating material becausethey are insulated from the electrode assembly 241 by the body made ofor constructed by nonconductive material.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 39, when the electrode assembly 241 isused the electrode assembly 241 also includes a trunk 253 which extendsfrom the adapter 258 at a diameter at least slightly less than thediameter of the collet chamber 142. To assemble the electrode assembly241 to the body assembly 42, the handles 48, 50 are spread apart and inthe open position. When the handles 48, 50 are in the open position, thelinks 196, 198 cause the stem 178 to push the fingers 184 forward in thecollet chamber 142. As the electrode assembly 241 is inserted into thebody assembly 42, the trunk 253 pushes against the fingers 184 forcingthe fingers 184 into the collet chamber 142 as the trunk 253 also entersthe collet chamber 142. This also causes the handles 48, 50 to close.The electrode assembly 241 is locked into the body assembly 42 by virtueof the locking pin 154 engaging the locking groove 262 of the electrodeassembly 241.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. In addition, the reference numerals inthe claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any wayas limiting.

1. A body assembly (42) for retaining an adapter (58) of a tube assembly (46), said body assembly (42) comprising; a housing (134) having an axial bore (140), said housing (134) including a top surface (96) with said top surface (96) defining a transverse bore (148) extending along an axis (BB) and opening to said axial bore (140), said housing (134) defining a lateral bore (160) extending along a locking axis (AA) with said lateral bore (160) intersecting said transverse bore (148), a lock (150) disposed in said transverse bore (148) and including a locking contact (156), and a locking pin (154) spaced axially from said locking contact (156), a plunger (166) including a plunger shaft (168) with said plunger shaft (168) disposed in said lateral bore (160) and intersecting said transverse bore (148), and said plunger shaft (168) including a plunger contact (174) slidably interfacing with said locking contact (156) of said lock (150) for imparting a force on said locking contact (156) as said plunger (166) is moved along said locking axis (AA) to move said locking pin (154) along said plunger axis (BB) and into said axial bore (140) to engage the adapter (58) and retain the tube assembly (46) to said body assembly (42).
 2. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plunger contact (174) further comprises as a plunger ramp (174) sloping relative to said plunger axis (BB) with said locking contact (156) slidably interfacing with said plunger ramp (174) to move said locking pin (154) along said plunger axis (BB) as said locking contact (156) slides along said plunger ramp (174).
 3. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking contact (156) is further defined as a locking ramp (156) sloping relative to said plunger axis (BB) in opposition to said plunger ramp (174) with said plunger ramp (174) and said locking ramp (156) slidably interfacing.
 4. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 3 wherein said locking ramp (156) slopes at a first angle relative to said plunger axis (BB) and said plunger ramp (174) slopes at a second angle relative to said plunger axis (BB).
 5. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first angle and said second angle are equal and said locking ramp (156) includes a locking ramp (156) surface and said plunger ramp (174) includes a plunger ramp (174) surface with said surfaces in sliding contact.
 6. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plunger shaft (168) defines a slot (177) with said locking pin (154) of said lock (150) extending through said slot (177).
 7. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 6 wherein said lock (150) further includes a base (152) with said base (152) movably extending through said slot (177) and said locking pin (154) and said locking contact (156) positioned on opposite sides of said plunger shaft (168).
 8. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 7 wherein said plunger contact (174) is further defined as a plunger ramp (174) sloping relative to said plunger axis (BB) with said locking contact (156) slidably interfacing with said plunger ramp (174) to move said locking pin (154) along said plunger axis (BB) as said locking contact (156) slides along said plunger ramp (174).
 9. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 8 wherein said plunger ramp (174) is further defined as being formed in said plunger shaft (168) to define a V-shaped notch.
 10. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 9 wherein said plunger ramp (174) is further defined as a pair of plunger ramps (174) formed in said plunger shaft (168) on opposing sides of said slot (177) in parallel.
 11. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 10 wherein said locking contact (156) is further defined as a pair of locking contacts (156) for slidably interfacing with said corresponding plunger ramp (174).
 12. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 11 wherein said locking contacts (156) are further defined as a pair of locking ramps (156) sloping in parallel relative to said plunger axis (BB) and in opposition to said plunger ramps (174).
 13. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transverse bore (148) and said lateral bore (160) are generally perpendicular.
 14. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transverse bore (148) and said axial bore (140) are generally perpendicular.
 15. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plunger (166) further includes a head (170) extending from said plunger shaft (168) for pushing said head (170) to move said plunger (166) along said locking axis (AA).
 16. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 further including a spring cap (162) attached to said top surface (96) of said body covering said transverse bore (148) to retain said lock (150) within said transverse bore (148).
 17. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 16 further including a spring disposed between said spring cap (162) and said lock (150) with said spring imparting a force on said lock (150) along said plunger axis (BB) to bias said locking pin (154) into said axial bore (140) and provide resistance to said plunger (166) when moving said plunger (166) along said locking axis (AA).
 18. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 17 wherein said lock (150) defines a spring pocket (159) opposite said locking pin (154) with a portion of said spring seated in said spring pocket (159) for nesting said spring within said lock.
 19. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 17 wherein said spring cap (162) defines an orifice (199) with a portion of said spring seated in said orifice (199) for nesting said spring within said spring cap (162).
 20. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 16 wherein said spring cap (162) further includes an electrode (249) for connection to an external power supply with said electrode (249) contacting said lock (150) to transmit current through said locking pin (154) and into the tube assembly (46).
 21. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 20 further including a second electrode (249) for transmitting bipolar current through said locking pin (154) and into the tube assembly (46).
 22. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plunger (166) further includes an end (172) with a screw cap (179) disposed on said end (172) for retaining said plunger (166) within said lateral bore (160).
 23. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 further including a cap (173) extending from said body and covering said lateral bore (160) for grasping said body assembly (42) and moving said plunger (166) along said locking with one hand.
 24. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body is formed from insulating material to isolate said body from an electrical current.
 25. A body assembly (42) for retaining a cable (70) of a tube assembly (46), said body assembly (42) comprising; a housing (134) defining a bore (142) extending along a tube axis (DD), a grabbing assembly (175) disposed in said bore (142) for sliding in said bore (142) along said tube axis (DD), said grabbing assembly (175) including a plurality of fingers (184) with said fingers (184) movable between a closed position when said fingers (184) are disposed in said bore (142) and an open position when said fingers (184) are outside of said bore (142) for grasping and releasing a retainer end (251) of a tube assembly (46) in response to sliding said grabbing assembly (175) and said fingers (184) along said tube axis (DD).
 26. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 25 wherein said bore is further defined as an axial bore (140) and a collet chamber (142) extending along said tube axis (DD) with said axial bore (140) having a larger diameter than said collet chamber (142) for closing said fingers (184) to grasp the retainer end (251) of the tube assembly (46) when said fingers (184) are disposed in said collet chamber (142) and opening said fingers (184) to release the retainer end (251) when said fingers (184) are disposed in said axial bore (140).
 27. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 25 wherein said fingers (184) are further defined as flexibly extending from said grabbing assembly (175).
 28. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 25 wherein said grabbing assembly (175) includes a stem (178) adapted to extend from said fingers (184) with said stem (178) slidably disposed in said collet chamber (142) and extending from a rear (210) of said body for grasping said stem (178) to slide said grabbing assembly (175) along said tube axis (DD).
 29. a body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 28 further including a handle (48) pivotally connected to said body and a link (196) pivotally connected to each of said handle (48) and said stem (178) of said grabbing assembly (175) for moving said grabbing assembly (175) along said tube axis (DD) in response to pivoting said handle (48) with respect to said body.
 30. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 29 wherein said handle (48) is further defined as an upper handle (48) and a lower handle (50) with said stem (178) disposed therebetween and said link (196) is further defined as a top link (196) and a bottom link (198) with said top link (196) pivotally connecting said top handle and said stem (178) and said bottom link (198) pivotally connecting said bottom handle and said stem (178) for moving said grabbing assembly (175) along said tube axis (DD) in response to opening and closing said handles.
 31. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 30 wherein closing said handles pulls said fingers (184) into said collet chamber (142) to close said fingers (184) for grasping the retainer end (251) of the tube assembly (46).
 32. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 31 further including a resistance spring (195) disposed in said collet chamber (142) between said fingers (184) and said rear (210) of said body for imparting resistance when closing said handles and causing said handles to open in response to releasing said handles.
 33. A body assembly (42) as set forth in claim 25 wherein said body further includes an arm portion (136) extending from said body with said axial bore (140) disposed in said body and said collet chamber (142) disposed in said arm portion (136).
 34. A tip assembly for attachment to a body assembly (42), said assembly comprising; a shaft (108) defining a cable opening (120) with said cable opening (120) extending along a tube axis (DD), said shaft (108) defining a tip chamber (122) extending through said shaft (108) and intersecting said cable opening (120) with said shaft (108) including a hip (130), a blade (90) pivotally attached to said shaft (108) for performing a cutting operation, a cable (70) slidably disposed along said tube axis (DD) and extending into said cable opening (120) of said shaft (108) for sliding said cable (70) along said tube axis (DD) in said shaft (108), a cable end (74) extending from said cable (70) with said cable end (74) pivotally attached to said blade (90) for opening said blade (90) relative to said shaft (108) when said cable (70) is slid toward said blade (90) and closing said blade (90) relative to said shaft (108) when said cable (70) is slid away from said blade (90), a shoulder (80) protruding from said cable end (74) for limiting travel of said cable (70) as said cable (70) is moved along said tube axis (DD), said cable end (74) including a front sloping edge (78) and a top edge (79) sloping relative to said front sloping edge (78), said blade (90) including a first blade stop (107) and a second blade stop (107) sloped relative to said first blade stop (107) with said first blade stop (107) disposed against said front sloping edge (78) when said cable (70) is slid away from said blade (90) and said second blade stop (107) disposed against said top edge (79) when said cable (70) is slid toward said blade (90) to limit rotational travel of said blade (90) relative to said shaft (108). 